National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – New York Regional Office

In 1995, a group of 7 men rode their bicycles from Utica, New York to Washington, D.C. in order to raise awareness about the plight of missing children and to bring a message of safety to the people they met along the way. They arrived on the Capitol steps on May 25th, the first National Missing Children's Day. Two years later, inspired by that first Ride, a group of 43 riders rode their bicycles 100 miles from Albany, NY to Utica, NY with the same message of safety and awareness. Thus began the Ride For Missing Children. Currently there are five rides that take place annually across New York State in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica.

The purpose of the Ride For Missing Children (The Ride) is:

· To honor the memory of all missing children

· To raise public awareness of the plight of all missing and exploited children and the need for child safety education

· To raise funds to support the missing children poster distribution, community education for the prevention of child abduction and sexual exploitation, and the mission of NCMEC-NY in serving our community here and across New York State.

The Ride is a one-day, 100-mile bike ride that stops at schools along our route to bring a message of safety. All participating Riders make a vow to raise a minimum pledge and to support the mission and goals of NCMEC-NY. What participants learn immediately is that although they are going to ride their bikes approximately 100 miles in one day, this event is "not about a bike ride". It is about raising awareness of the plight of missing and exploited children, and supporting NCMEC’s mission "to make our children safer …one child at a time".

About this nonprofit

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

699 Prince St
Alexandria, VA 22314
EIN: 52-1328557

Mission

NCMEC was established in 1984 as a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to provide services nationwide for families & professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered, & sexually exploited children. All donations will remain local & support the New York Regional Office.